FR. RON ROLHEISER, omi

John Shea once wrote a haunting poem about John the Baptist. The poem begins with the Baptist in prison, hearing the dancing above his head and knowing that this is soon to culminate in his being beheaded. Strangely, he's not too upset.

FR. RON ROLHEISER, omi

In our novitiate, when I was a novice with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, our assistant novice director, a sincere but overly-stern man, cautioned us about too much levity in our lives by telling us that there is no recorded incident in Scripture of Jesus ever laughing.

FR. RON ROLHEISER, omi

If only! How often we feel those bitter words of regret: If only! If only I had noticed earlier! If only I had been more attentive! If only I could see that person again, even for five minutes! If only I hadn't been there just then! If only the storm hadn't happened just as I was on the highway! If only I hadn't had that extra drink! If only I had left the party 10 minutes earlier! If only!

FR. RON ROLHEISER, omi

Several years ago, I was at church meeting where we were discussing liturgical rubrics. There was heated discussion over a number of issues: Should the congregation should be standing or kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer? What is the most reverent way to receive Communion? Should laypersons be allowed to cleanse the chalice and cups after Communion?

FR. RON ROLHEISER, omi

The rich are getting richer, and we are almost beyond surprise at how rich that is. Every day, our newspapers, our televisions and the Internet, report financial compensations that, even just a generation ago, were unimaginable: Corporate executives receiving a hundred million dollar bonuses, an athlete signing a contract for a hundred million dollars, entertainers signing contracts for tens of millions, people in information technology earning billions and ordinary folks everywhere joining the millionaire club.

FR. RON ROLHEISER, omi

There's an adage that says that an atheist is simply someone who cannot grasp metaphor. Thomas Halik, the Czech writer, would suggest rather that an atheist is someone who cannot be patient enough with God.